High above the Detwah lagoon of western Socotra I found a favourite spot just under the cave. Here the landscape was supporting a range of plants as the high cliffs and outcrops lend a hand in sun protection during the first half of the day.
Withania riebeckii has small and inconspicuous flowers and at first I thought this was the flower, but a closer look revealed a tiny pollinator!
When pollinated, the sepals close in like a closing umbrella and inside the fruit will develop well protected.
It is endemic to Socotra.
Last updated on 8 November 2024
